5G download speeds are getting slower

Prefer WhistleOut in Google

Have 5G download speeds peaked? It certainly looks like it. An analysis of Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience reports back to 2023 shows a downward trend for two of the country's network providers, while a third is playing catch-up. 

Opensignal is a leading insights company that looks at network performance globally. It gathers data on global networks through its app users and releases its Mobile Network Experience report biannually. While Australian 5G networks went live in 2019, Opensignal first started breaking out 5G performance from 4G in 2023. 

Its latest report showed a drop in average 5G download speeds on both the Optus and Telstra networks and no change on the Vodafone network.

You can see each network provider's 5G download speeds here:

Optus, which has consistently measured at the front of the pack with the fastest speeds, dropped average speeds by 8.5Mbps (4%) from 208.4Mbps to 199.9Mbps in the past six months. Telstra's average 5G download speed went down by 2.8Mbps (1.6%) from 174.5 Mbps to 171.7Mbps. 

Compared to the peak in April 2023 when Opensignal first started measuring 5G speeds, overall Optus' speeds have dropped by 29.7Mbps (13%) while Telstra's have dropped by 43.3Mbps (20%). 

Conversely, the Vodafone network's average 5G download speeds have steadily climbed to catch up to the competition. The provider's 5G speeds have grown by around 51% since April 2023.

Over the last 18 months, the provider has been expanding its 5G network, which now reaches 91.3% of the population, in part, thanks to its network sharing deal with Optus. A Vodafone spokesperson told WhistleOut it has added more mobile sites to its network, and as such, has 5G in more areas. 

"This helps spread traffic more efficiently across our network rather than concentrating it in busy locations", said the spokesperson. "Although mobile data usage is increasing, the additional capacity is driving improvements in our network experience and average 5G speeds."

When it comes to Telstra and Optus, there are a couple of factors at play that may explain the downward trends. 

As more 5G plans have come to market, many telcos have introduced plans with speed caps. Plans capped to 250Mbps tend to come at a premium, while plans capped to between 100Mbps and 150Mbps are more common. As a technology, 5G connectivity can reach gigabit speeds, so any speed caps add a sort of artificial ceiling — albeit one reflected in market performance. 

Opensignal Principal Analyst Robert Wyrzykowski told WhistleOut that another factor is congestion from a growing 5G user base. 

"As more Optus customers connect to 5G — and as Optus continues to expand its 5G footprint, having added 190 new mobile sites in the 12 months to November 2025 as part of an industry-wide addition of nearly 3,000 new 5G sites — more traffic is being carried on the network," said Wyrzykowski, citing Optus as an example.

"Optus is also targeting 1,500 regional 5G sites by end of 2028 and 2,444 by 2030, having fast-tracked its regional rollout two years ahead of schedule. Greater utilisation naturally puts downward pressure on average speeds.

Wyrzykowski pointed to the regional expansion of 5G as another contributing factor. Towers cover greater areas, which can increase the time it takes for data to travel to a phone. Similarly, providers use different mobile spectrum in regional areas that won't always be able to hit the same kind of speeds. 

"Operators expanding 5G coverage, particularly into regional areas, increasingly rely on sub-1GHz spectrum," said Wyrzykowski. "This low-band spectrum delivers wider reach but lower peak throughput."

"As those regional data points are averaged in alongside urban mid-band connections, the national average speed falls — even if the urban experience hasn't degraded."

For example, when looking at average 5G download speeds in Sydney and Melbourne, Optus' speeds are still well over 250Mbps.

Even though Optus' 5G may be faster than the competition, a company spokesperson told WhistleOut there's more to 5G than just speed. 

"While speed is important, the primary focus of 5G is to deliver consistent, reliable performance that supports the everyday services customers rely on, from streaming to staying connected on the go," said the spokesperson. 

"Optus is continually investing in and enhancing its network, including ongoing capacity upgrades in areas of demand, to ensure customers continue to receive a strong and reliable 5G experience.”

Opensignal also compares performance on a country-wide scale in its Global Network Excellence Index, and the decline in average 5G download speeds is apparent here, with a significantly large drop from the fourth quarter of 2024 onwards.

At the time of writing, Australia's mobile networks rank 37th globally on download speeds, 25th for consistent quality and 16th overall. 

Despite the declines, 5G speeds may not actually be getting "worse". Instead, it is a case of more Australians benefiting from the new technology. Geographical factors mean regional speeds won't be the same as those in metro areas, but they bring the average down despite the increased footprint. 

This trend will no doubt continue as network providers continue to build out 5G capability, especially in regional Australia, but slower average speeds feel like a fair trade for greater overall coverage. 

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.​

Read full bio